Thieves steal Rs 28,000 from teen in crowded bank

Four men surrounded an 18-year-old at the bank's cash counter and made away with the cash; bank's lone security guard was doling out slips at a counter and could not stop the thieves

In a shocking incident, four men stole Rs 28,000 from a teenager while he was about to hand over a larger sum to the cashier at a bank in Dharavi. The incident occurred yesterday at Indian Bank’s Dharavi branch, where Tushar Shinde (18) had gone to deposit Rs 76,000 in his boss Abdul Latif’s account. Shinde works as an account for Latif, a caterer by profession.

“I visit the bank regularly to deposit money in my boss’ account. As usual, I was carrying the cash in a bag. While removing the amount at the cashier’s counter, four men surrounded me and tried to snatch the money,” Shinde said. In his attempt to prevent the quartet from stealing the cash, the money fell out of his hands. The thieves seized the opportunity and made away with Rs 28,000.

Indian Bank’s Dharavi branch where Tushar Shinde had gone to deposit the cash

“I yelled for help, but the lone security guard present inside the bank was busy at another counter. He was handing out slips to other customers,” Shinde said. Based on the CCTV footage available with the bank, an FIR was filed at the Dharavi police station in the evening. All four thieves are still at large.

Twice bittenSpeaking to MiD DAY, Latif said, “We were extremely upset with the bank’s attitude following the incident. While the CCTV footage shows the men running out of the bank, the only security guard present in the bank was not able to nab any one of them. Tushar tried to chase two of the thieves, but they disappeared into one of the many bylanes. We later discovered that a similar incident had occurred three months ago. However, the bank failed to beef up the security.”

CopspeakSenior Inspector A B Pawar from Dharavi police station said, “We have retrieved CCTV footage and further investigation is on to nab the men who are still absconding. No arrests have been made so far.” A case was registered under sections 114 (abettor when crime is committed) and 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code.

- Inputs by Jeet Dalvi

Bank official speaksIndian Bank’s senior branch manager K Balakrishnan admitted that this was the second such incident in the last four months, wherein money had been stolen from inside the bank. He assured that steps had been taken to improve security. “The problem is that the bank gets crowded during the day, making it easier for the thieves to slip away without getting noticed. However, we plan on getting more security guards and are in the process of installing grills at the entrance. We are also cooperating with the police officials and have handed over the CCTV footage for further investigation,” Balakrishnan said.